Take your students on an imaginary geographical journey through the spectacular Arctic landscape of Svalbard with this engaging, cross-curricular Year 7 Geography and Literacy lesson.

Designed to introduce students to the physical geography and distinctive landscape characteristics of the Tundra biome, this lesson explores the extreme cold environment of the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic.

Combining geographical knowledge with creative writing and literacy skills, students investigate how descriptive vocabulary and powerful adjectives can be used to bring an unfamiliar landscape to life.

What’s included in this lesson?

• An introduction to Svalbard and its location in the Arctic.

• Exploration of the physical geography and landscape characteristics of the Tundra biome.

• Analysis of descriptive vocabulary and adjectives used to describe cold environments.

• A collaborative class activity to develop a bank of geographical keywords and descriptive language.

• A differentiated writing frame worksheet to support students with their extended writing.

• An imaginative travel journalism task in which students write an extended piece taking the reader on a journey through the tundra landscape of Svalbard.

Developing geographical and literacy skills

Students use the five senses to describe the physical and human geography of Svalbard, developing their ability to communicate geographical understanding through descriptive and creative writing.

The lesson encourages students to use geographical terminology, ambitious vocabulary and descriptive techniques to produce an engaging piece of travel writing.

Curriculum links and suitability

Ideal for Year 7 Geography.

Introduces the Tundra biome and Arctic environments.

Develops geographical literacy and extended writing skills.

Provides an introduction to cold environments in preparation for GCSE Geography.

Easily adaptable for Year 8 and Year 9 Geography lessons.

Suitable for cross-curricular Geography and English activities.

An engaging, differentiated lesson that combines physical geography, geographical vocabulary and creative writing to help students explore one of the world’s most fascinating cold environments.